News

Water Background Briefing Hot Off the Press
Cotton Australia has prepared a Background Briefing on water (included as an attachment with the Issues Update email, or available from www.cottonaustralia.com.au ). The Background Briefing gives a comprehensive explanation of the current state of water policy and legislation, including Cotton Australia’s work in this area.
A key feature of the water reform process is centred on Water for the Future, which includes both the buyback and irrigation infrastructure programs. The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is holding information sessions in cotton growing regions about the Water for the Future program during December. The forums will give a further rundown and will also be open for questions and answers.
Dates:
Dubbo: Dec 1, RSL Club Resort;
Bourke: Dec 2, Oxley RSL Club;
Moree: Dec 8, Max Function & Conference Centre;
Goondiwindi: Dec 9, Goondiwindi Training & Technology;
St George: Dec 10, Balonne Skills Centre.
For further information visit http://www.environment.gov.au/water/australia/community-input/information-sessions.html
Contact: Brad Pfeffer, ph (02) 9669 5222

Delivering the R&D Message in Canberra:
Last week CEO Adam Kay and Policy Advisor Brad Pfeffer attended a round of lobbying meetings in Canberra to put the case for cotton R&D.  A series of 10 briefing meetings were held with senior Advisors on R&D, MPs from cotton production areas, journalists and Senators Mark Furner, Joel Fitzgibbon, Jan McLucas and Claire Moore.  With talk about rural R&D funding potentially being reduced, these talks came at a critical time.  Cotton Australia put forward evidence of the success of the Cotton R&D Corporation and the Cotton CRC from agricultural, economic and social perspectives.
Contact:  Adam Kay, ph (02) 9669 5222

Industry Representatives attend R&D Round Table
Cotton Australia convened a meeting last week with other agricultural representative organisations at NFF headquarters in Canberra to discuss the future directions of agricultural research and development. With the coming Federal Budget set for intense scrutiny for measures to reduce the deficit, Cotton Australia is on the front foot to ensure that agricultural research and development is not caught in the crosshairs of the government razor gang. The meeting with other industry representative organisations discussed strategies for respective commodity organisations to all ensure their voices are heard in Canberra, to promote the positive messages of the Research and Development Corporation model. Cotton Australia also outlined its overall strategy for highlighting the immense value of our R&D.
Contact: Greg Kauter or Brad Pfeffer, ph (02) 9669 5222

CA Attends Forum on Future of Agricultural R&D
Following the NFF meeting, Cotton Australia also attended a forum on the future direction of agricultural research and development, where a panel of speakers discussed R&D and the global food crisis. This forum provided valuable information on government intentions toward R&D, as well as projected challenges for agriculture to 2050. Cotton Australia is preparing a pre-budget statement regarding R&D, which will be released in coming weeks, and it clearly outlines the massive return on investment that research projects have delivered for the industry and the domestic economy.
Contact: Brad Pfeffer, ph (02) 9669 5222.

Over 70% of Cotton Fields Mapped as 2,4D Campaign Ramps Up:
Cotton growers and consultants have heeded the call to map their cotton fields via www.cottonmap.com.au, part of Cotton Australia’s campaign to curb damage from drift this summer.  At time of writing, 70% (130,000ha) of farms have been mapped.  This is an overwhelming response and Cotton Australia would like to thank everyone who has participated so far.  However, in order to get maximum effectiveness, Cotton Australia is also urging growers who haven’t already, to map their fields ahead of a radio advertising campaign that will launch in early December.  The radio campaign urges best practice when applying Phenoxy herbicides and promotes www.cottonmap.com.au to anyone intending to use products from the Phenoxy range, and focuses on cotton growing areas.
Contact:  Greg Kauter, ph (02) 9669 5222

Cotton Australia - Future Voices – Murray Darling Basin – 2010 
Cotton Australia is seeking applications from young people in cotton interested in developing their leadership skills, working up solutions and contributing to decision making regarding the Murray-Darling Basin and irrigated industries.  Applications are open to those under 35 years of age.
Key activities will be attendance at a 2 day forum in Canberra between 22 – 25 February 2010 where they will participate in forums/meetings with 18 representatives from irrigated industries, politicians and advisors and industry leaders/stakeholders.  In preparation for this forum, participants will also be involved in a short leadership mentoring program consisting of 2 x teleconference sessions with the program facilitator as well as with the Chair and CEO of Cotton Australia.  Participants will also be provided with a training manual and a range of leadership development activities to support them represent Cotton Australia and participate in the Future Voices – Murray-Darling Basin – 2010 Forum. To express interest, please provide the following details:
Name, Address, Phone, Email and DOB and let us know your current involvement in the industry.
Expressions of Interest Close on Friday 11th December 2009 and must be submitted electronically to adamk@cotton.org.au.
Successful participants will be notified via email by Wednesday 16 December 2009.
Contact:  Jo Eady, ph 0419 912 879 , email jo@ruralscope.com

Industry Vision Gets Clearer with Second Workshop:
Cotton industry leaders are continuing to develop an industry pathway to help navigate the challenges and opportunities for the next 20 years, and last week attended the second meeting of the 2029 Vision workshop.  At the meeting, a dozen of the industry’s minds discussed a range of scenarios that could face the cotton industry in the future.  They drafted various industry visions and statements that encapsulate the challenges and the aspirations of the entire cotton industry.  The results from these discussions will be the subject of wider industry debate and feedback, before further refinement, and preparation of a final report on the project in February 2010.
Contact:  Brad Pfeffer, ph (02) 9669 5222

ACIC Holds AGM:
The Australian Cotton Industry Council held its Annual General Meeting at the Cotton Australia offices on Tuesday 24 November.  ACIC continues to function as an industry forum and advisory group, with a focus on developing a united vision for all industry sectors.  Peter Graham and Mike Logan were re-elected to their positions as Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
Contact:  Adam Kay, ph (02) 9669 5222

Modernising Queensland Biosecurity Legislation
The Queensland state government, as a part of its election commitments, is introducing new legislation as a part of the new state new biosecurity strategy. Cotton Australia is working with industry groups and the government via the Biosecurity Reference Group in the development of the new legislation.  An exposure draft of the Biosecurity Bill will be released in 2010 for extensive public consultation before it is finalised for government consideration.  A copy of the QLD biosecurity strategy can be downloaded at www.deedi.qld.gov.au
Contact:  Rob Cairns, ph: (0427) 707 868

myBMP Training:
The emphasis for myBMP will be on tailoring the training to each individual valley’s and farmer’s needs, and with this in mind a template is currently being designed to be sent to trainers. Using this template, the trainers will be able to match the needs of their particular audience with how the training is best delivered. This will take into account the quantity of farms, the size and scale of farms, as well as the level of computer literacy of the valley’s farmers. It is expected that the template will be sent to trainers before Christmas.
Contact: Allison Davis, ph (0458) 053 559

New Format and a Name Change for Issues Update:
As of next issue (14/12/09), this newsletter will be updating its format and will no longer be available via fax.  A new e-newsletter called Cotton Matters will take the place of Issues Update, allowing recipients to go to the Cotton Australia website for further information on stories of particular interest.  During the changeover period, Cotton Australia will continue to fax a summary newsletter to those still on fax lists, but if you would like to receive news from Cotton Australia, please contact us to ensure you are added to the email list.
Contact:  Christina at christinao@cotton.org.au  or call on (02) 9669 5222.